The Return of Joe Isuzu

    CERRITOS, Calif., Feb. 3 American Isuzu Motors Inc. has
announced the return of one of the most heralded advertising campaigns of the
20th Century -- Joe Isuzu.  Actor David Leisure ("Empty Nest") returns as Joe
Isuzu in the campaign that breaks the week of February 5 after an 11-year
hiatus.
    Joe Isuzu was the character from the famous series of advertisements in
the late 80's featuring the stereotypical car salesman, claiming that the
Isuzu he was pitching had "gin-u-wine llama-skin leather" and "enough cargo
room to carry Texas."  Advertising Age named the original campaign one of the
best advertising campaigns of the 20th Century.
    "In the new campaign, Joe is not the liar he was in the past," notes
American Isuzu Motors Inc. Senior Vice President and COO, SUV Division, Duke
Hale.  "He's a 'reformed' Joe Isuzu that has evolved and matured, but is still
very funny.  His humor will be at the expense of himself as Isuzu's new
Factory Spokesperson."
    David Leisure played Charley Lietz, Dr. Harry Weston's mooching next-door
neighbor on NBC's hit comedy series "Empty Nest" which ran for seven seasons.
He made his screen debut in the role of a Hare Krishna devotee in the hit
comedy film "Airplane!"  Besides "Empty Nest," Leisure also appeared in
various roles on such television series as "Married With Children," "The
Golden Girls," and "Lois and Clark."
    The marketing campaign is being created by Goodby Silverstein & Partners,
Advertising Age's "Agency of the Year," in association with Omnicom sister
company The Designory.  In addition to the broadcast advertising element, the
campaign will be expanded utilizing other various mediums.
    American Isuzu Motors Inc. is the U.S. distributor of Isuzu sport utility
vehicles, commercial vehicles and diesel engines.  For more information call
(800) 662-2464 or point your browser to http://www.isuzu.com on the worldwide web.